Child sex abuse training for schools

Jasper County’s public schools have implemented child sex abuse training for all employees.

The recent case at Penn State University, which saw former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky indicted on 40 counts of sex crimes against young boys, has spurred the county’s school district.

“This is something we started at Jasper County long before the incident, but after that incident it helps us realize we are on the right path,” district lead counselor and community liaison Eleanor Hazel said.

This is the first time all district employees will be trained. Previously guidance counselors and health care providers were trained.

The district follows the ‘Darkness to Light: Steward to Children’ program. Employees are encouraged to be proactive if they believe a child is being sexually abused. Hazel said in the past reports would go to principals or guidance counselors, but employees are also encouraged to report suspicions to the department of social services and law enforcement.

“Everyone has the responsibility,” Hazel said.

According to www.d2l.org, one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthdays. Seventy to 80 percent of sexual abuse survivors report excessive drug and alcohol use and serial child molesters could have as many as 400 victims in their lifetimes.

Ridgeland High school employees have completed training and training is under way at Hardeeville Middle-High. Ridgeland Elementary training is set to begin and Hardeeville Elementary training is scheduled for Tuesday. Training for the rest of the staff will be in January.

“The staff has really been receptive,” Hazel said. “Often they do not know how to handle it. This program creates awareness and also gives them steps they can take.”

Learning signs of abuse is part of the training. Physical signs are possible, but not common. Emotional signs are likely, such as depression, withdrawal or unexplained anger.

“I know with the Penn State incident, people are now more aware that this is larger than maybe they thought,” Hazel said. “I feel people working with children, if they are more educated about sex abuse, they will be more willing to help to solve the problem.”

Board member Pamela Williams was pleased to know a program is being implemented.

“I think it’s great,” she said.

Teacher turnover declines

The district’s teacher turnover rate on average declined 22.3 percent in the last five years. According to state department of education numbers, Jasper County ranks eighth out of 86 districts in turnover rate, but has seen a recent decline. In 2006-07 the rate was 31.6 percent and dropped each year to 13.5 percent in 2009-10. Last year the number rose to 16.3 percent, but at Monday’s school board meeting Arthur Holmes, academics and human resources chief, noted many were international teachers who completed three years of teaching.

“We are working hard in empowering the teachers,” Holmes said.

A reason for the declining rate is the mentor program, which helps train teachers by pairing them with seasoned teachers.

In a report presented to the board, a teacher wrote: “It is nice to have Dr. Holmes and other teachers who can relate to what you are dealing with on an everyday basis.”

Allendale rates highest with a 27.3 percent five-year turnover rate.

Super recognized as ‘risk taker’

Superintendent Vashti Washington finished in the top five for the National Alliance of Black School Educators’ Ida B. Wells Risk Taker Award, according to Holmes. The award is given to those who have “undergone great personal and professional sacrifice in the service of educational advancement for African Americans,” according to the award’s website.